Q: Can a pharmacy technician become a pharmacist?

Yes, a pharmacy technician can become a pharmacist. In fact, this can be a great transition as pharmacy technicians already have a strong background in the field and therefore can have a higher chance of succeeding as pharmacists.

Q: Can you become a pharmacist online?

Yes, you can become a pharmacist online. Becoming a pharmacist requires completing a bachelor's degree and a doctorate-level pharmacy degree, both of which can be done online. However, to become a licensed pharmacist you need supervised clinical practice hours and a passing score on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX).

Q: Do pharmacists get paid well?

Yes, pharmacists get paid well. Typically, the salary for a pharmacist falls somewhere between $90,000 per year and $130,000 per year. This is flexible, of course, but a pharmacist's salary is not usually too much lower than $90,000 per year.

Q: Do pharmacists go to med school?

Yes, pharmacists go to med school. In order to legally practice as a pharmacist, a doctoral degree in pharmacy is an absolute requirement. So, all practicing pharmacists in the United States have a medical education resulting in a doctoral degree.

Q: How hard is it to become a pharmacist?

It is very hard to become a pharmacist. According to the American Associations of Colleges of Pharmacy, it is estimated that of all the students who are accepted into pharmacy school, over 10% do not make it to graduation day.

Q: How hard is it to get into pharmacy school?

It is not very hard to get into pharmacy school. The average acceptance rate of pharmacy school is around 89%; meaning, if you are able to complete the proper prerequisite courses and have a decent GPA, you are very likely to be accepted into pharmacy school.

Question 1

How long does it take to become a Pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

It takes 5 years of professional experience to become a pharmacist. That is the time it takes to learn specific pharmacist skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 8 to 10 years years to become a pharmacist.

Question 2

What companies hire pharmacists?

Accepted Answer

Pharmacists are hired by a variety of companies such as retail pharmacies, hospital systems, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and insurance companies.

Retail Pharmacies: Companies like Walgreens, CVS Health, and Rite Aid frequently hire pharmacists to dispense medications and counsel patients on their usage.
Hospital Systems: Many hospitals such as Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, and Cleveland Clinic hire pharmacists to manage medication therapy for both inpatients and outpatients.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers: Companies like Pfizer, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson hire pharmacists for roles in drug development, regulatory compliance, sales, and marketing.
Insurance Companies: Health insurance organizations like UnitedHealth Group or Aetna might hire pharmacists to help develop coverage policies or manage prescription claims.

Question 3

Can a pharmacy technician become a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a pharmacy technician can become a pharmacist. In fact, this can be a great transition as pharmacy technicians already have a strong background in the field and therefore can have a higher chance of succeeding as pharmacists.

Question 4

Can you become a pharmacist online?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can become a pharmacist online. Becoming a pharmacist requires completing a bachelor's degree and a doctorate-level pharmacy degree, both of which can be done online. However, to become a licensed pharmacist you need supervised clinical practice hours and a passing score on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX).

Question 5

Do pharmacists get paid well?

Accepted Answer

Yes, pharmacists get paid well. Typically, the salary for a pharmacist falls somewhere between $90,000 per year and $130,000 per year. This is flexible, of course, but a pharmacist's salary is not usually too much lower than $90,000 per year.

Question 6

Do pharmacists go to med school?

Accepted Answer

Yes, pharmacists go to med school. In order to legally practice as a pharmacist, a doctoral degree in pharmacy is an absolute requirement. So, all practicing pharmacists in the United States have a medical education resulting in a doctoral degree.

Question 7

How hard is it to become a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

It is very hard to become a pharmacist. According to the American Associations of Colleges of Pharmacy, it is estimated that of all the students who are accepted into pharmacy school, over 10% do not make it to graduation day.

Question 8

How hard is it to get into pharmacy school?

Accepted Answer

It is not very hard to get into pharmacy school. The average acceptance rate of pharmacy school is around 89%; meaning, if you are able to complete the proper prerequisite courses and have a decent GPA, you are very likely to be accepted into pharmacy school.

Question 9

How many years does it take to be a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

To become a pharmacist, it can take anywhere from seven to ten years, not including the high school education that is typically necessary for such a career. Most pharmacists will spend between two and four years on undergraduate education.

Question 10

How to get a job as a pharmacist

Accepted Answer

The steps to get a job as a pharmacist are to earn a doctoral degree, complete residency, and pass the state licensing requirements.

Before admission to a doctoral program, you must complete a bachelor's degree from a four-year university that will satisfy the undergraduate pharmacy requirements. Then, you must take and pass the Pharmacy College Asmitrance Test (PCAT).

After passing the PCAT, you are ready to apply to any pharmacy program that is accredited through the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. Then, you will complete a residency or a formal internship. The hours on this will depend on individual state requirements, so be sure to check with your specific state.

Once you have completed all educational requirements, you are ready to take the licensing exam. Aspiring pharmacists should be sure to check to ensure all state requirements are met so then they may begin the job search for a position. Once you begin your career and throughout your time as a pharmacist, continual education will be required as part of your licensure.

Question 11

Is being a pharmacist a good career?

Accepted Answer

Yes, being a pharmacist is a good career. Pharmacists are one of the most well-respected and trusted medical professionals. They also make a really good living and are satisfied in knowing that they are helping people every day with their medical needs.

Pharmacists have great job security, and the profession remains in high demand. They also can choose to work in a number of different environments and for many different types of employers. Pharmacists are able to work at many different medical locations, such as retail drugstores, hospitals, nursing homes, mental health institutions, or health clinics.

Their work area typically is like a small laboratory that is clean, organized, well-lit, and well-ventilated. Some pharmacists also work for pharmaceutical corporations that develop new medications, drugs, and vaccines. Many find this type of work extremely rewarding.

In these working environments, pharmacists work with other pharmacists, doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel, so their work can be very engaging and stimulating. They also are often communicating with patients about their medications.

Pharmacists are also very well compensated. The average salary of a pharmacist is $144,327 per year.

Here are some of the top reasons why being a pharmacist is a good career:

Excellent salaries
High job demand and job opportunities
Wide selection of work environments
Job stability
You can run your own pharmacist business if you choose
You work in a career that helps other people with a critical service
It is a career that is highly respected and one you can be proud of

Question 12

Is it hard to become a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is hard to become a pharmacist. Pharmacists must earn a doctoral degree in pharmacy. To become a pharmacist, it is essential that one takes education extremely seriously.

Becoming a pharmacist involves several levels of exams, licenses, and higher education. Once a bachelor's degree has been earned or an accelerated program has reached the doctoral stage, a pharmacist must pass the Pharmacy College Admission Test in order to qualify for an accredited doctoral program in pharmacy.

Question 13

Nurse vs Pharmacist

Accepted Answer

A nurse is a medical professional that has a wide array of duties in patient care, while a pharmacist is a healthcare professional that focuses on the right way to use, store, preserve, and provide medicine.

Question 14

What degree do you need to be a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

You need a Doctor of Pharmacy degree to be a pharmacist. To obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), you need to have a bachelor's degree. Both a bachelor's degree and a Pharm.D. take around four years to complete, so a total of around eight years of school is required.

Question 15

What does a pharmacist wear?

Accepted Answer

A pharmacist wears business casual clothing under a white lab coat. This includes items like dress pants or khakis, with a button-up shirt, and sometimes with a tie.

Question 16

What is the career path for a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

The career path for a pharmacist includes jobs as a pharmacy technician, a pharmacist, and a lead pharmacist. The pharmacist career path is generally straightforward, however, there can be variance in terms of where a pharmacist will work.

Question 17

What should I study to become a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

You should study pre-pharmacy courses in college to become a pharmacist. There are two college tracks you can take to become a pharmacist.

The first involves completing an undergraduate degree before moving into a pharmacological graduate program, while the second option is a combined one that incorporates all of the relevant coursework into one program.

Question 18

Where do pharmacists work?

Accepted Answer

Pharmacists generally work in retail drugstores or health care facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes, mental health institutions, or health clinics. Their work area typically is like a small laboratory that is clean, organized, well-lit, and well-ventilated.

Question 19

Why become a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

There are many benefits to becoming a pharmacist, such as competitive pay, stability, and respect. Many pharmacists enjoy the challenging nature of their jobs, as well as the differences they see each day.

Question 20

Pharmacist vs. Pharmacy Technician

Accepted Answer

A pharmacist is trained to fill prescriptions, administer vaccines, and instruct patients on how/when to take their medications, while a pharmacy technician assists the pharmacist through packaging and labeling, organizing inventory, and providing customer service.

Question 21

What is a good starting salary for a Pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

A good starting salary for a pharmacist is $100,000 in the United States. That puts you in the 10th percentile of annual income for a pharmacist in the U.S., which is about what you would expect if you were new to the field. The average salary for pharmacists is $125,415, but that normally requires some level of experience to achieve. Furthermore, a good starting salary for a pharmacist can vary by state.

Question 22

What is the average starting salary for a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

An appropriate starting salary for a pharmacist would be around $90,000 per year. For a starting salary, this is relatively high. Keep in mind, though, that the education necessary to secure a career as a pharmacist is often very rigorous.

Question 23

Can a pharmacist make 100k?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as a pharmacist. The chances of earning over $100k for a pharmacist are actually pretty good because the highest-paid pharmacist positions typically pay at least $156,000 per year. The average annual salary is $125,415 for pharmacist jobs. For example, pharmacists in California whose salaries are in the 90th percentile earn an average salary of $214,000.

Question 24

Is pharmacist a good job?

Accepted Answer

Yes, being a pharmacist is a good job. Pharmacists are one of the most well-respected and trusted medical professionals. They also make a good living and are satisfied in knowing that they are helping people every day with their medical needs.

Question 25

Is pharmacist still a good career?

Accepted Answer

Yes, being a pharmacist is a good career. Most pharmacists make between $90,000 per year and $130,000 per year. This high earning potential reflects the education and skill necessary to be a pharmacist.

Question 26

What is the best job for a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

The best job for a pharmacist is retail pharmacist if you like to work directly with the community.

Pharmacists can work in almost all levels of healthcare. There are two main types of jobs for pharmacists that are the most common. However, there are many additional paths besides these two. Almost all pharmacy careers tend to be really good career paths.

Question 27

What jobs can you get with a pharmacy degree?

Accepted Answer

You can practice as a pharmacist with a pharmacy degree, assuming you have also completed the necessary licensing process. Practicing as a pharmacist can mean a number of different things.

Question 28

Who are the highest-paid pharmacists?

Accepted Answer

The highest-paid pharmacists tend to be those working in hospital pharmacies and nuclear pharmacists. Although these specific careers tend to be the highest paying in pharmacy, nearly all careers in pharmacy pay high salaries.

Question 29

What are the qualifications of a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

The qualifications of a pharmacist include the following:

An undergraduate degree
A doctor of pharmacy degree
Licensure examinations

Question 30

What percentage of Pharmacists are female?

Accepted Answer

56.7% of pharmacists are female in the United States. This is -2.8 percentage points lower than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female pharmacists has increased by 3.0 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 176,095 female pharmacists in the U.S. and 134,479 male pharmacists in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 310,574 people with the specific job title of pharmacist and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.

Question 31

How do I write a resume for a pharmacist job?

Accepted Answer

You write a resume for a pharmacist job by highlighting your education and experience in dispensing prescription medications to patients and offering health and wellness counseling. The entire resume (from the profile summary to work experience to skills section) should showcase skills and will as a pharmacist.

Question 32

How do I write about my pharmacy experience?

Accepted Answer

You write your pharmacy experience in several ways - such as in the profile summary and experience section and when discussing their skills and achievements.

The key to writing about pharmacy experience on a resume is to focus on a few core skills and provide real-world examples of specific responsibilities and achievements.

Question 33

Should a pharmacist use a CV or a resume?

Accepted Answer

A pharmacist should use both a CV and a resume. Using a resume is the industry standard for applying to a corporate pharmacist position. However, a pharmacist will need a CV when pursuing a residency or any clinical or research position, which is not uncommon in this career.

Question 34

What are examples of a pharmacist's achievements?

Accepted Answer

Examples of a pharmacist's achievements include strong moral character, honesty, responsibility for the patient's medication/pharmacy care, and support.

Achievements in customer care should be the main focus of pharmacists. Some examples of this are improving customer service and increasing customer retention. Good customer service can answer customer questions about a prescription or prove easy-to-follow directions of use.

Question 35

What is the demand for pharmacists?

Accepted Answer

The demand for pharmacists is expected to grow by 3% from 2020 to 2030. This modest growth rate reflects the fact that there is not a widespread shortage of pharmacists. That's not to say that certain areas or specialties within the field may experience higher demand and competition for qualified professionals.

Question 36

Are pharmacists happy?

Accepted Answer

No, pharmacists are not happy. A recent survey found that only 30% of pharmacists are satisfied with their job. Pharmacists are experiencing a significant amount of burnout and stress related to their roles.

Question 37

Can pharmacists work from home?

Accepted Answer

Yes, pharmacists can work from home. When working from home, pharmacists are able to complete more administrative tasks, but cannot complete every task that is assigned to a pharmacist. Additionally, work-from-home pharmacists must work under a licensed pharmacist in a clinic.

Question 38

Do pharmacists make good money?

Accepted Answer

Yes, pharmacists make good money. On average, pharmacists make annual salaries of $121,500 per year, accounting to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earn an average of $89,790 per year, while the highest 10% earn an average of more than $154,040 per year.

Question 39

How hard is pharmacy school?

Accepted Answer

Pharmacy school is very hard. The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy estimates that more than 10% of pharmacy school students do not graduate.

There are many reasons pharmacy school is hard, required topics that pharmacy school students are required to study include pharmacology, pharmacotherapy, and pharmacokinetics.

Question 40

How many hours do pharmacists work?

Accepted Answer

In most settings, pharmacists work 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. On average, pharmacists work 4 to 5 days per week. In some retail settings, pharmacists may work 10 to 12 hours per shift.

Pharmacists don't typically have a standard work week, instead, their work hours are split. For example, if there are 2 pharmacists on staff they will split the hours with one working from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and the other working from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The hours may differ by location but are generally similar to this example.

It is common for pharmacists to work night shifts, weekends, and holidays (if working in a hospital setting). Retail pharmacists work more hours than hospital pharmacists, typically, but they tend to receive the same amount of pay.

Question 41

How many hours does a pharmacist work?

Accepted Answer

A pharmacist works eight hours per day, 40 hours a week, on average. Hours can vary depending on where the pharmacist works. A retail location, for example, can have very different hours than a hospital. Pharmacists typically work four to five days a week and can work 10-12 hours or more. Weekly work hours are usually split.

Question 42

How to reduce pharmacist burnout?

Accepted Answer

You reduce pharmacist burnout by creating a healthy work-life balance. Burnout is affecting the American workforce. While it is an important consideration for all workers, burnout is especially concerning in healthcare workers, such as pharmacists, because it can increase negative patient outcomes.

Question 43

What are the pros and cons of being a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

The pros of being a pharmacist are competitive benefits and stability, while the cons include extensive education requirements and the potential for liability. Here is a more detailed look at the pros and cons of being a pharmacist:

Pros:

Competitive Benefits. Becoming a pharmacist requires extensive education and skill. Because of this specialization, pharmacists make extremely good money and have great benefits such as medical insurance and retirement plans.
Stability. Pharmacies are a crucial part of society, which is great for pharmacists. Job stability helps people feel comfortable and confident, and pharmacists can enjoy a high level of stability.
Respect. Pharmacists are a respected career, as it requires high levels of skill and intellect. Many people feel great satisfaction for working in a position that they feel is a respected, impressive role.

Cons:

Extensive Education Requirements. Pharmacists hold doctorate degrees and they also complete a residency. These requirements often take over a decade of dedication. They also can be extremely expensive.
Liability. Pharmacists have the responsibility of safely and accurately dispensing medication to patients. Any errors could lead to potential lawsuits and litigation. An error could also seriously harm a patient. This can be extremely difficult for pharmacists.
Little Room for Advancement. Once you become a pharmacist, you will stay a pharmacist for the rest of your career. There is no potential to continue climbing up in your career as you have reached the end.

Question 44

What is a typical day for a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

A typical day for a pharmacist involves various tasks related to medication dispensing, patient counseling, medication therapy management, and administrative duties. The specific tasks and responsibilities of a pharmacist can vary depending on the practice setting. For example, pharmacists can work in community pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, the pharmaceutical industry, research, or academia, each with its own unique demands and scope of practice.

Question 45

Who do pharmacists work with?

Accepted Answer

Pharmacists work with pharmacy techs, doctors, and nurses. Here is a closer look at the medical professionals that pharmacists work with:

Pharmacy techs. Pharmacists work with pharmacy techs to dispense prescription medications to patients and offer expertise in the safe use of prescriptions. They also collaborate with these professionals by conducting health and wellness screenings, providing immunizations, and overseeing medications given to patients.

Question 46

Why do you want to be a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

You answer, "why do you want to be a pharmacist," by focusing on your desire to help patients feel better and get well as quickly as possible. It is especially important that your answer is genuine and displays an intrinsic motivation.

Frequently asked questions about pharmacists

Questions about becoming a pharmacist